Dentistry Unmasked: A Roundtable Podcast

How to become the president of the ADA- part 1

How familiar are you with THE American Dental Association? Do you sometimes feel as though it’s hidden behind a veil? In this episode, Dr. Pam and Dr. Brian sit down with Dr. Brett Kessler, past president of the ADA and get to know the dentist (and human) behind the mask. The conversation is vulnerable, but steady, honest, and quietly courageous, moving through themes of personal reinvention, the discomfort of looking beyond the present moment, and the surprising power of giving yourself permission to dream again. Dr Kessler shares what brought him to the forefront of our profession and what’s possible when you choose to design a life with intention.

Holiday headaches: Plan now or pay later

It might feel early—but according to Brian, if you’re not thinking about the holidays now, you’re already behind. This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam and Brian tackle a topic most practices put off until it’s too late: end-of-year planning. From team celebrations to scheduling and budgeting, they break down how a lack of preparation can lead to stress, burnout, and missed opportunities to boost morale when it matters most. They share practical tips to help you plan ahead, stay on budget, and create meaningful celebrations that energize your team instead of overwhelming them. Because done right, the holidays can be a powerful way to close out the year on a high note—for both you and your team. If you want to avoid last-minute chaos and actually enjoy the season this year, this episode will give you the roadmap to start now—and thank yourself later.

The Tooth Fairy upgrades your practice needs

What if the tooth fairy could do more than just leave a dollar under the pillow?  This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam sit down with Oliver Finel, an animator who’s reimagining the tooth fairy experience for today’s tech-savvy kids—and their dental providers. With the tooth fairy already welcomed into more than 90% of U.S. households, Oliver saw an opportunity to turn a beloved tradition into something even more meaningful. He shares how his interactive tooth fairy platform—complete with a real-time tracker, engaging oral health tips, and built-in marketing tools—helps practices connect with young patients in a fun, memorable way. The result? Happier kids, stronger habits, and a creative approach to growing your practice. If you’re looking for a fresh way to engage pediatric patients, reinforce positive behaviors, and stand out in your community, this episode delivers a little magic—with real-world impact.
 
Resources:
https://kikithetoothfairy.co/?srsltid=AfmBOooW4nQUuqSN7JAuQTCBh4S-lD4G4qeWmZK7Bg8ZtmpjBEI9ykqi#meet-kiki

Why patients don’t mind paying full fee in this practice

Ever wondered what it would actually take to drop insurance participation—but weren’t sure how to make it work?
 
This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam and Brian sit down with Dr. Brian Edwards, a preventive-focused dentist who has successfully transitioned out of network with all insurance plans while continuing to grow a thriving, patient-centered practice.
 
Dr. Edwards shares how he transformed his dental hygiene department into the foundation of his model of care—delivering comprehensive, individualized treatment that prioritizes prevention, education, and connection. The result? A truly exceptional patient experience that has allowed him to practice fully on his own terms.
 
Even more compelling, he explains how creating this level of trust and value has made insurance participation unnecessary—because patients are willing to invest in care they understand, believe in, and value.
 
If you’ve ever considered moving away from insurance dependency, or want to elevate your hygiene model into a true driver of clinical and financial success, this episode offers a powerful roadmap.
 
Resources:
threetwothreedentistry.com

What no one tells you before you buy a practice

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam continue the conversation on practice transitions—this time through the lens of the buyer.
 
They’re joined by Brian Hanks, a seasoned buyer’s advocate who pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to purchase a dental practice in today’s market. From timing the decision to buy, to identifying what actually makes a practice a strong opportunity, Brian shares practical insights every young dentist should hear before stepping into ownership.
 
He also tackles some surprisingly overlooked pitfalls—like why tax extensions can quietly signal red flags during the buying process—and offers clear guidance on when to move forward on a deal… and when it’s smarter to walk away.
 
If you’re a young dentist considering ownership, or simply trying to understand what makes a “good deal” in dentistry today, this episode is packed with real-world advice to help you make smarter, more confident decisions.

Are you building a sellable practice—or just a busy one?

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam sit down with Brian Franco for a candid, eye-opening conversation that challenges how dentists think about the value of their practices.
 
Brian makes a compelling case that a dental practice is, first and foremost, a business—and should be evaluated and sold like any other business. But here’s the twist: it’s not collections, production, or even EBITDA that ultimately determines value. According to Brian, it’s transferability that truly drives what a practice is worth.
 
Together, they unpack what transferability really means, why it matters more than traditional financial metrics, and how it can dramatically impact a future sale. Brian also offers a strong argument for why dentists should consider working with an industry-agnostic brokerage when it’s time to transition out of ownership.
 
If you’re thinking about the future of your practice—or even just want to understand its true value—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

5 essential changes dental hygienists should make for a prosperous and pain-free 2026

Spend time with Stephanie Botts as we discuss how to focus on being pain free in 2026.  From your operatory  to your mental and physical health...prevention is key to feeling healthy.

The leadership gap holding your practice back

Is your office manager truly managing—or simply keeping the office running day to day?
 
This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam are joined by the one and only Dr. Roger Levin, who brings his decades of experience in practice management and dental consulting to a critical (and often overlooked) topic: what it really takes to build an effective office manager.
 
Too often, office managers are promoted into the role without clear expectations, structured training, or the tools they need to succeed. Dr. Levin breaks down why that happens—and more importantly, how to fix it.
 
He shares what separates a true manager from an administrator, and how proper training and development can transform an office manager into a confident, competent leader who actively drives practice growth.
 
If you’re a dentist wondering why your team isn’t operating at the level you expect—or an office manager looking to step fully into your leadership role—this episode offers practical insight you can put into action immediately.

If you’re not using these materials, you’re already behind

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has been around for years—but how it’s actually used in practice is still widely misunderstood. In this episode, Dr. Brian Novy and Dr. Pam Maragliano take a closer look at where SDF fits in modern caries management, what clinicians often get wrong, and why it continues to spark debate.
 
From technique missteps to patient communication, this conversation moves beyond theory into the realities of clinical practice. The hosts challenge the idea that caries treatment must always be surgical, reframing SDF as a practical tool for arresting disease, stabilizing lesions, and buying time—especially in high-risk or complex cases.
 
They also explore how SDF integrates with restorative approaches like glass ionomer (SMART technique), and where it makes the most sense across different patient populations, including pediatric and elderly patients.
 
Along the way, the discussion touches on a growing tension in dentistry: how coding, reimbursement, and legacy practice models can shape clinical decisions—sometimes in ways that don’t fully align with disease management.

Dentistry on Netflix: Are we ready?

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam and Brian sit down with Dr. Jonny Norris, the creator of an upcoming Netflix documentary that promises to challenge long-held assumptions in dentistry and spark important conversations with patients. As the profession anticipates a public spotlight on treatment decisions and standards of care, Dr. Norris shares his perspective on minimal intervention dentistry and what true conservatism should look like in modern practice. The discussion explores the science and clinical application of preventive and bioactive materials such as silver diamine fluoride, povidone iodine, and glass ionomers—and how these tools can help clinicians preserve tooth structure while improving long-term outcomes. This is a timely, thoughtful conversation about ethics, prevention, patient communication, and how dentists can be prepared—clinically and conversationally—for the questions that may soon be coming their way.